The Lagos State Government has formally requested that celebrities and social media influencers refrain from supporting street urchins, locally known as agberos. This call to action was issued by Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, following a video report showcasing the ongoing issue of street nuisance in the state.
Wahab explained that while the administration frequently conducts enforcement operations to clear these individuals from public spaces, those efforts are often hindered by citizens who provide them with money. He emphasized that financial patronage incentivizes these groups to occupy the streets and creates a false sense of entitlement among them.
While the commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding law and order, he highlighted that community cooperation is vital to solving the problem. He called on all Lagos residents to stop enabling behaviors that lead to insecurity, environmental hazards, and public disorder, noting that a clean and safe city requires a collective effort.
